Indiana Family to Family

The Catalyst Center is researching inequities in coverage and financing of care for children with special health care needs (CSHCN) among families of CSHCN who represent families of color, immigrants and families from diverse cultural backgrounds, those who speak a language other than English, and those with low income. We are conducting telephone interviews with families to explore the barriers they face and to learn about the services and supports that may help families overcome these barriers. Please share the  project description and sample questions  (available in Spanish:  descripción del proyecto y ejemplos de preguntas ) with your extended networks of families, providers, community-based organizations, and others who are in contact with diverse and underserved families. For more information and/or to arrange an interview, contact Kasey Wilson, Catalyst Center Research Assistant Phone: 609-831-2087 Email:  wilsonka@bu.edu

By Kevin Counihan This  Sunday, November 1 , marks the start of Open Enrollment when you can visit HealthCare.gov  and sign up for affordable, quality health coverage. For current Marketplace consumers, this is the time when you can come back, shop and compare your current plan with others available in your area for 2016, and select the plan that’s right for you. You can choose to stay in your current plan if it’s still available – or – pick a new plan. Plans on the Health Insurance Marketplace change every year and, because of that, new, better and more affordable plans might be available in your area. Here’s what you need to know: It pays to shop. There may be plans available that offer the services you need, include more doctors, or save you money. Last year, consumers who shopped and switched plans saved nearly $400. And this year, more than 7 out of 10 current consumers will be able to find a plan with premiums less than $75. You can visit HealthCare.gov now and com

Consumers with significant medical needs especially want to make sure their providers are in-network, their prescription drugs are in a favorable prescription formulary tier, and the costs of routine doctor visits and prescriptions are affordable. Here are the steps I follow and some tips for working through each of these important plan selection considerations. A printable version of this tip sheet can be found  here . 1. Providers The first step is to  determine whether or not the consumer’s providers are in-network.  While there are several ways to do this, I’ve found it is best to start with the insurance company. Here’s why: Calling providers and asking whether they take Marketplace plans can be hit and miss, particularly if you live in a non-expansion state. In Texas, we’ve had provider offices just tell us, “We don’t take Obamacare,” when we call, as though Marketplace plans are some third category of coverage, as opposed to regular, private health insurance. Even w

The State Board of Education will hold a special meeting at  9:00 a.m. ,  Wednesday, October 28  to discuss and gather public comments on proposed changes to Indiana’s high school diploma structure. The meeting will take place at the Indiana State House, Room 233, Indianapolis, IN, 46204. Click  HERE  for the Department of Education’s description of the meeting. Click  HERE  to see the meeting agenda. Click  HERE  to see the final draft of the proposed diploma structure.